"International investigation possible only if Sri Lanka agrees" says UN Chief

Associated Press | Yahoo! News
.............................................................................................................................................................................................

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he will only launch an international investigation into allegations of possible war crimes at the end of Sri Lanka's civil war two years ago if the government agrees, which is highly unlikely, or member states call for a probe.

A statement from Ban's spokesman late Monday publicly releasing a report by a U.N. panel said the secretary-general has been advised that he needs government consent or a decision from member states in an international forum. He didn't specify a forum but it could include the U.N. Security Council, General Assembly or Human Rights Council.

The panel's report, previously leaked to a Sri Lankan newspaper, called for an investigation of the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

© Yahoo! News